The artist presents himself in the act of drawing the outlines of another portrait with a white-porte-crayon. Wearing an impressive gown to protect his everyday clothing, and with his colours carefully laid out in order on his palette, he is the image of the professional painter. 

Winstanley, who was born and died in Warrington, was extensively patronised by the Earl of Derby, who sent him to Italy to buy and copy Old Masters and who commissioned from him original portraits and landscapes. In later life he was briefly George Stubb’s mentor when the latter went to work at Knowsly. A well-known engraving of the present portrait was made in 1731.

Self-Portrait | National Museums Liverpool

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The artist presents himself in the act of drawing the outlines of another portrait with a white-porte-crayon. Wearing an impressive gown to protect his everyday clothing, and with his colours carefully laid out in order on his palette, he is the image of the professional painter. Winstanley, who was born and died in Warrington, was extensively patronised by the Earl of Derby, who sent him to Italy to buy and copy Old Masters and who commissioned from him original portraits and landscapes. In later life he was briefly George Stubb’s mentor when the latter went to work at Knowsly. A well-known engraving of the present portrait was made in 1731.

Self-Portrait

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